More upmarket Kadjar-replacing SUV created to battle the RAV4 and more expensive BMW X3
The all-new Renault Austral has been unwrapped online with the French car-maker revealing its Kadjar-replacing SUV will be the first car based on its all-new CMF-CD architecture.
On sale in Europe by the beginning of Q3 of 2022, when it arrives the Austral will feature a full range of electrified engines, with the most powerful E-Tech hybrids combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol with an electric motor and 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery to produce up to 146kW.
Diesels won’t be offered but Renault claims the E-Tech Hybrid is capable of completing 80 per cent of urban journeys on pure-electric power alone, with mid-size Mazda CX-5 alternative averaging 4.6 L/100km on the combined cycle, while emitting 105g/km of CO2.
A Mild Hybrid Advanced powertrain is also offered that combines the same 1.2-litre turbo with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a starter-motor-generator. The set-up is said to allow the most efficient models to average around 5.3 L/100km with a manual transmission.
Finally, a third less sophisticated Mild Hybrid engine will be available that blends a 1.3-litre turbo four-cylinder with a 12-volt battery and a starter-generator that produces either 103kW or 118kW and can average up to 6.2 L/100km.
Measuring in at 4510mm long, 1830mm wide and standing 1620mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2670mm long the new Austral is a fraction longer and taller, but narrower than the Kadjar it supersedes.
The big gain is the new platform has stretched the wheelbase (+24mm) that now provides rear passengers with claimed best in class knee-room.
Set to offer either a fixed or sliding rear bench seat, cargo space varies from 500 to 575 litres, although the full hybrid robs some space and it drops to between 430-555 litres.
Within the cabin, Renault claims there’s an extra 35 litres of luggage space to hide away smaller items.
From launch, the less powerful versions of the Austral come equipped with a simple torsion beam rear suspension while the more expensive models get a better multi-link set-up that’s combined with 4Control Advanced rear-steer that can pivot the rear wheels by up to 5-degrees for a city car turning circle of just 10.1 metres.
Borrowing aplenty from the recently launched Megane E-Tech all-electric hatch, the Austral gets C-shaped LED headlamps and large 20-inch alloy wheels.
For the first time on a Renault, the Austral will get the option of a sporty Esprit Alpine trim that’s inspired by the Alpine brand. Those models will get a unique grey paint that’s combined with satin grey and black trim, different sportier 20-inch Alpine rims are offered, while inside there’s Alcantara seats that sport blue stitching.
Within the cabin, Renault claims its design, fit and finish has been raised to levels on par with the class above.
There’s also a greater emphasis on tech with the new Austral, with a large 12.3-inch instrument cluster combined with the firm’s latest 12.0-inch OpenR Link infotainment system that lives behind a one-piece Gorilla Glass screen that is claimed to be scratch-resistant.
Other new tech, includes over-the-air updates, a 360-degree camera, Google Maps and Google Assistant, plus up to 32 different driving aids that are said to provide the Austral with level 2 autonomous driving.
There’s no word yet when exactly the Austral will land Down Under, nor which of the three powertrains we’ll get. European pricing, meanwhile, will be released in the coming weeks.
Keyword: New 2022 Renault Austral breaks cover